One of the ironies of film preservation is that it's often the most popular titles that are most in need of restoration, and this is certainly true of the work of the beloved comic duo, Laurel and Hardy, whose films have been used, reused and overused to the point of severe attrition. The Archive kicked off a major preservation effort to restore all of its surviving negatives of Laurel and Hardy. Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Jeff Joseph, a major lead gift has been pledged for the project. Donate to the Laurel and Hardy Preservation Fund and know that you are contributing to the preservation of their work for generations to come.

Funding provided by the AFI/NEA Film Preservation Grants Program. Preserved from original camera negatives and dupe negatives, with the cooperation of Hal Roach Studios. Special thanks to Mark Lipson.

The Midnight Patrol (1932)

Funding provided by The Winklevoss Foundation in memory of Frank Leonard. Preserved from a 35mm nitrate picture lavender and 35mm track negatives, and a 35mm nitrate composite lavender print. Laboratory services by The Cinemalab, Audio Mechanics, DJ Audio. Special thanks to Sonar Entertainment, The British Film Institute.

The Music Box (1932)

Funding provided by The Winklevoss Foundation in memory of Frank Leonard; Jeff Joseph/Sabucat; The Carl David Memorial Fund for Film Preservation; and the UCLA Film & Television Archive Laurel & Hardy Preservation Fund, including the support of many Sons of the Desert tents. Restored from the 35mm nitrate picture and track negatives, the 35mm nitrate work print and a 35mm nitrate work track. Laboratory services by The Cinemalab, Audio Mechanics, DJ Audio, Simon Daniel Sound. Special thanks to: Sonar Entertainment; Katie Trainor—the Museum of Modern Art.

Trailer restoration funded by The Joseph Drown Foundation. Additional funding provided by The Ahmanson Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and The Packard Humanities Institute.

Scram! (1932)

Funding provided by Turner Classic Movies, Jeff Joseph/SabuCat, The Packard Humanities Institute, Laurel & Hardy Preservation Fund including support of many Sons of the Desert tents, and in honor of National Film Preserve: Tom Luddy, Gary Meyer and Julie Huntsinger.

Sons of the Desert (1933)

Funding provided by the George Lucas Family Foundation and The Film Foundation. Preserved from the 35mm nitrate camera negative, a 35mm nitrate lavender picture master and the 35mm nitrate Canadian track negative. Laboratory services by The Stanford Theatre Film Laboratory, Audio Mechanics, DJ Audio, Inc., Simon Daniel Sound. Special thanks to Sonar Entertainment.

Watch a video of head of preservation Scott MacQueen inspecting a work print of Sons of the Desert (1933).

Funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. Laboratory services by YCM Laboratories.

Way Out West (1937)

Funding provided by The Film Foundation. Preserved from a 35mm nitrate positive print and a studio work print. Laboratory services by the Stanford Theatre Film Laboratory, Audio Mechanics, DJ Audio. Special thanks to Richard W. Bann, RHI Entertainment and LLC.